Prescription Drug Abuse Among Older Adults: A Family Ecological Case Study

Abstract

The issue of prescription drug abuse among the elderly population is multifaceted. Such abuse has implications for the individual's health and his or her family relationships, and has other ecological dimensions. In this in-depth, qualitative case study, one family's experience with prescription drug abuse is examined using human ecological theory as a guiding framework. Findings include the powerful role played by the medical community, influence of societal biases, and family conflict. Implications for training physicians, developing clinical assessments, family treatment, and future research are discussed.